For the 2025 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 5,601 students in Marion County, IA (there are 3 private schools, serving 899 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Marion County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Marion County, IA are Pella Middle School, Pella High School and Jefferson Intermediate. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Marion County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 71% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 78% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Marion County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Marion County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Pella Middle School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
613 E 13th
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-4784
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-4784
Grades: 7-8
| 363 students
Rank: #22.
Pella High School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
212 E University St
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-3870
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-3870
Grades: 9-12
| 791 students
Rank: #33.
Jefferson Intermediate
(Math: 80% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
801 E 13th St
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-8267
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-8267
Grades: 4-6
| 502 students
Rank: #44.
Pleasantville Middle School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
415 Jones St
Pleasantville, IA 50225
(515) 848-0528
Pleasantville, IA 50225
(515) 848-0528
Grades: 7-8
| 126 students
Rank: #55.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1111 North Main Street
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-3970
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-3970
Grades: PK-3
| 334 students
Rank: #66.
Madison Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
950 E. University St.
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-4638
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-4638
Grades: PK-3
| 486 students
Rank: #77.
Pleasantville High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
415 Jones St
Pleasantville, IA 50225
(515) 848-0541
Pleasantville, IA 50225
(515) 848-0541
Grades: 9-12
| 245 students
Rank: #88.
Knoxville Middle School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
413 Willetts Dr
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-3315
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-3315
Grades: 6-8
| 324 students
Rank: #99.
Pleasantville Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
414 Jones St
Pleasantville, IA 50225
(515) 848-0566
Pleasantville, IA 50225
(515) 848-0566
Grades: PK-6
| 456 students
Rank: #1010.
Melcher-dallas Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1003 E Park St
Melcher Dallas, IA 50062
(641) 947-3151
Melcher Dallas, IA 50062
(641) 947-3151
Grades: PK-6
| 156 students
Rank: #1111.
Knoxville High School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1811 W Madison
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-2173
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-2173
Grades: 9-12
| 503 students
Rank: #1212.
Twin Cedars Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2204 Highway G71
Bussey, IA 50044
(641) 944-5245
Bussey, IA 50044
(641) 944-5245
Grades: PK-6
| 179 students
Rank: #1313.
Northstar Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
407 W Larson
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-6527
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-6527
Grades: 3-5
| 342 students
Rank: #1414.
Melcher-dallas High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
214 S Main
Melcher Dallas, IA 50163
(641) 947-3731
Melcher Dallas, IA 50163
(641) 947-3731
Grades: 7-12
| 145 students
Rank: #1515.
Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2204 Highway G71
Bussey, IA 50044
(641) 944-5243
Bussey, IA 50044
(641) 944-5243
Grades: 7-12
| 159 students
Rank: n/an/a
306 S Park Lane Dr
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-2185
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-2185
Grades: PK-2
| 490 students
Marion County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
614 East Washington St
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-6541
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-6541
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
Goal Alternative School (Closed 2016)
Alternative School
614 E. Washington
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-4533
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-4533
Grades: 9-12
| 29 students
214 S. Main Street
Melcher Dallas, IA 50163
(641) 947-3731
Melcher Dallas, IA 50163
(641) 947-3731
Grades: 7-8
| 51 students
401 Main St
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-4638
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-4638
Grades: K-3
| 171 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Marion County, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Marion County, IA include Pella Middle School, Pella High School and Jefferson Intermediate.
How many public schools are located in Marion County?
16 public schools are located in Marion County.
What percentage of students in Marion County go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Marion County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Marion County?
Marion County public schools minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Marion County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Marion County include: Madison Elementary School vs. Lincoln Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School vs. Madison Elementary School, Melcher-dallas High School vs. Knoxville High School
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